Drag and Drop Not Working in Windows 7

Anonymous
2011-03-18T18:18:13+00:00

I have a new problem that has cropped up just in the last week or two. I can no longer drag and drop my files and folders in Windows Explorer. I have Windows 7 on a HP Notebook. It came installed on the computer last December when I bought it (09). I've never had an issue with it since then, and I'm not sure how to find the settings to enable drag and drop or re-enable it. I know I've done it before on this machine, many times- and just noticed it first in  Thunderbird, (my email desktop application) then in explorer. I did recently install the SP1 (spelling??) a few weeks ago, and have installed a few other odds and ends programs, but I'm pretty sure drag and drop was working okay until a few days ago.

Any help would be appreciated. As a genealogy writer, that's a must have feature.

Thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2011-07-20T06:47:39+00:00

This happened to me yesterday.

In Windows Explorer, click a file with the left mouse button and keep the button held down. Then press the Escape key. Drag and drop is miraculously re-enabled.

I think just pressing the escape will work too but I'm no longer in a position to test that. I got this from http://it.thelibrarie.com/weblog/2010/06/drag-and-drop-stops-working/

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Anonymous
2014-05-15T11:56:09+00:00

This happened to me yesterday.

In Windows Explorer, click a file with the left mouse button and keep the button held down. Then press the Escape key. Drag and drop is miraculously re-enabled.

I think just pressing the escape will work too but I'm no longer in a position to test that. I got this from http://it.thelibrarie.com/weblog/2010/06/drag-and-drop-stops-working/

I don't feel like reading through everything to see if this has been mentioned.  The escape fix worked for me with Win 7.  The only thing I have that is unique from coworkers is a wireless keyboard and mouse.  I expect that has something to do with my issue.

Thanks Nige!

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-11-08T13:26:58+00:00

    Hi,

    I've been having the same problem for the past several weeks now.  I'm new to Windows 7 so I can't tell you much, however I think it's a result of a recent update that was posted to the OS.  For me, I noticed it most in Outlook when I could not drag a mail item to a folder.. and the only fix was to bounce my PC.

    I did however find a better solution- if you do the following:

    1. CTRL-ALT-DELETE
    2. ESCAPE

    When you return to the desktop the drag and drop will work again.. Very strange, but it works. 

    Good Luck.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-05-15T22:47:16+00:00

    Hi EvilestDeath,

    To avoid confusion, I would recommend starting your own question so that the community can best focus on your specific issue.

    Thanks for using Microsoft Answers!

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  3. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2011-03-18T20:38:57+00:00

    Do you get an error message when you try to drag a file?  Or does the cursor change to a "no" symbol?  Hopefully these clues can help determine the cause of the issue.

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